Golf putting apparatus



Jan. 18, 1927.

c. K. WOODIN ET AL GOLF PUTTING APPARATUS Filed March 16 ,1925

I fnuer/z'or' u or-ne Mthcgeg Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CHARLES K. WOODIN AND WILLIAM W. SMITH, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

GOLF PUTTING APPARATUS.

Application filed March 16, 1925. Serial No. 15,730.

Our invention relates to golf putting apparatus and more particularly to apparatus adaptable for use in the practice of putting.

The object of our invention is in the provision of a simple device that permits the practice of putting elsewhere than on a golf course.

Another object of our invention is in the provision of a putting apparatus of simple structure that approximates natural golf conditions with relation to the act of putting.

Yet another object of our invention is in the provision of a putting apparatus capable of slight adjustable to permit putting practice for a plurality of distances.

A further object of our invention is in the fashioning of a putting apparatus adjustable for the practice of putts of various lengths, said apparatus maintaining, at all times, the cup portion in a substantially horizontal plane.

A still further object of our. invention is in the provision of putting apparatus that is adjustable to certain positions which, during practice, approximate similar putting conditions, and lengths of putts upon a normal golf green.

Other objects of our invention will appear inthe following specifications taken in connection with the annexed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1, is a plan view from above of the putting device.

Fig. 2, is a side elevation of same showing the device in an adjusted position in dotted lines.

Fig. 3, is an enlarged detail of the cup and ejector member.

Fig. 4, is a cross sectional View taken on the line 4;-4t of Fig. .2, and

Fig. 5, is a cross sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Before referring to the drawings, it might be said that the present device is adapted for use in the practice of putting. The game of golf is of such common knowledge that. it is not thought any description or rules of same need be given. However, the purpose ofithe present device is to increase the efficincy of a player in the putting stroke by permitting the practi e of said stroke at places other than upon the golf links. The present device is more particularly adapted for use in the home, club, etc., where it is placed upon a carpet for the purpose of approximating as nearly as possible, normal playing conditions. The player uses the same club, namely the putter, that he uses upon the desires.

For the reason that the ordinary carpet does not offer in any degree, the resistance of the ordinary green, it has been found necessary to resist in some manner, the movement of the ball towards the cup to approximate normal putting conditions. In the present device, this resistance has not only been taken care of but means has been provided for varying such resistance to permit practice of putts of various distances, While at the sametime, the cup portion is maintained in substantially the same position that it would have upon the normal green, namely, level.

The present device is fashioned to approximate in substantially every detail, conditions similar to those on the natural golf green.

Referring to the drawings, a flexible sheet metal portion 10, provides the platform or resistance end 11, and a substantially flat portion 12, which will be referred to as the green. This flexible sheetmetal portion 10, is covered with a granulated cork fabric 13, which has a slightly yielding surface, and is utilized for the purpose of approximating as nearly as possible, the closely cut ass that normally covers a golf green.

urrounding the green portion 12, is a continuous up turned flange 14, which acts as a stop member for the'ball when the putt is not successful and acts as a guide member for the return of same. Similarly an up turned flange 15 appears on either side of the resistance portion 11. The flange in this instance, however, being interrupted to permit flexing of this resistance portion in the adjusting action later to be described.

Means for supporting the putting green and resistance portion which is actually a part of the green, is provided in leg portions 16, pivoted at 17, to either side of the device and rearwardly thereof. Brace members 18,

golf links and also any ball that he pivoted at 19, at a point adjacent the for- Ward end of the device and at 20, to the leg portion 16, provide means for holding the green and leg portions in assembled relationship, The pivotal relationing: of the leg.

portion in comparison to putts of various distances upon an ordinary golf green. rivet 22,-is attached to the leg portion 16,

and protrudes inwardly in such manner as to be adapted 'to coincide with any of the holes abovementioned.

In other words, by a movement of the leg portions 16, and consequent movement of the flexible resistance or green portion 11,

through the cross rods 18, any, elevation of the device desirable may be obtained and the locationof the device in a fixedposition is accomplished bythe insertion-of the :rivet 22, into the proper hole in the flexible index sheet 21.

Disposed at a pointintermediate the sides of the'device, and in the middle of the substantially flat green portion 12, is a cup,

23. This cup is made of sheet metal and is securely attach'edto the flexible sheet member 10, as shown at 24;, in Fig. This cupr member-acts to receive the ball as it does-upon a natural golf green. Means for ejecti-ng rthe ball 'from the cup is provided in a lever 25, the samebeing pivoted in brackets-26 attached to either side of the device; well as an ejector portion 27 disposed within the cup' 23, and attached as at 28, to the fulcrumed end 29 of the lever 25. The slot 30 in the sheet metal cup: permits up, and down movement of the portion 29 of theejector mechanism.

It is obviousthat downward movement of the lever 25 will result in upward movement ofthe portion 27-and consequently ejectment of the ball from the cup.- might be said at this time that although the green portion l2, con ta ining the cup member 23, is substantially level,nevertheless, a Very slight inclinationof sametowards the resistance portioiris necessary for the return of the ball in case: the puttis unsuccessful This inclinat onlis veryslight and is only sufficient to return the ball to 'the resistance a The placing ofthese holes was fixed definitely after exhaustive tests of the angle of inclination of the resistance" portion which is inclined sharply as may be clearly seen, and will act to return the ball to the player. It might also be added that the green portion 12 is maintained in a substantially level-position'at all tirhesirrespective of the adjustment feature.

In view of the detailed description of the -putting-apparatus, no'description of the operation of same is thought necessary other than the" varying of the inclination of the resistance portion .tochange the length of putt. The player varies his practice by thisadjustment mechanism and .does not changeliis. position. relative to the putting apparatus which .isapproximately 6 feet. away. It may be seenfromv the above that the playermay practiceutheact of putting under almost .siinilarconditions to that of the ordinary golf green, and that he may,

extent of' having the ballstay in the cup after-a successful .putt, .so that the player may see it. However, to facilitate practice, the ejector mechanismwis provided forthe ready re1110valof:the ball fromhthe hole,

and its-return .down the resistance portionto the playerv \Vhat we claim is V V V 1. In: aldevice of the class described,..a

golf putting practice apparatus, comprising no a green portion, a. cupgmemberdisposed therein, a resistanceportion leadmgto the green portion, and means for chang ng the angle of inclination of the resistance portion for the purpose of.varyi ng the-putting. practice. 7

2, A golf puttingapparatus, comprising a substantially level. green portion, a cup member disposed tliei'eim'awfleXible resistance portion leading to said green member, and adjustable mechanism for varying the inclination of said flexible portion.

8. A golf putting: apparatus comprising an. elevated. substantially level green portion, a cup member therein, a flexible resistance portioncleading.tosaid green member and mechanism attached to'the green portion as well as theresistance portion, and adapt ed to vary the inclination-of said resistance portion while maintaining the green portion in a substantially level position.

4, :A golf putting apparatus comprising a substantially level green portion acup membertherein, a flexible resistance poition leading, to said green member. adjus ment mechanism forvarying the inclination of said flexible portion and an. index portion for permanently fixing .and -lllCllCzltlllgg the incl nation ofsaid resistancep' ortioni 5. v golf putting. apparatus comprising' a substantially level g'reenmember, a cu member disposed therein, a resistance porand guide members surrounding the green tion leading to said green member and and resistance ortions, a cup disposed in 10 means for ejecting a ball from the cup memthe green mem er, an ejector in the cup ber including an ejector in the cup member member and a, lever for operating same.

and a pivoted lever for operating same. In testimony whereof We afiix our sig- 6. A golf putting apparatus comprising natures. I a substantially level green member, a flex- CHARLES K. WOODIN.

ible resistance portion leading thereto, stop WILLIAM W. SMITH. 

